The second day of the new year and while I stayed up a bit too late last night, I made myself get within my preferred get-up window between 5:30am and 6:00am. I'm much happier getting early to bed and early to rise ... so when I do stay up until 'all hours' I either sleep late, feeling like I've wasted my day, or get up early anyway and feel tired but happier at the end of the day. Ten years into retirment and I still prefer a day where I am somewhat scheduled and accomplish a bit ... even if it is only a bit. Housework. Decluttering. Prep cooking. Bible study. Working out at home or the gym. Contacting friends and what little family remains and meeting up as we are able. Loving on the dogs.
Do I stay up late because of my fabulous and enriching social life? No, I rarely stay up late for social events, as my friends are my age. The 'rarely' times are for the most part a concert, other type of performance, and I never regret the tired day after. My 'usual' of late is I want to see one more episode of whatever I'm watching (currently a Korean reality show with hair and make-up makeovers), doom scrolling on FB, or reading/listening to a novel. Do I scold and shame myself? No. But I do remind myself of how much more content I am when I avoid too much FB, and maintain a regular schedule.
The morning is foggy, hooray! Most folks would not say hooray, but I live in a mountain valley desert and fog is very rare here. Sunshine is the norm, even in the cold winter. I grew up down at a lower elevation near the coast and spent several years of my young adulthood there; fog was very common. Like rain or snow or any other particular weather, fog has its own feeling, loveliness and atmosphere. As with rain, it takes some extra care to drive in, but I learned to drive in it, so the fog itself doesn't worry me. The other drivers not used to it concern me. The picture in the store parking lot is my favorite of the bunch, and the line of trees fading into the fog near the park is my second favorite. It's pretty convenient that phone pictures have improved to the point that they take pretty decent shots.
Breakfast, yum! I had to eat a banana and some glucose before my trip to the grocery store, as my sugar was too low to wait. When I got the groceries put away, I made a quick omelet to use up some fresh spinach and feta. As almost always, one edge stuck!!! The whole eggs were a treat; I usually eat egg whites only. But I need to go to the 'other' grocery store to buy more egg whites another day. I've gotten into the habit of shopping at more than one place for groceries ... for price, for availability of products I want, and to support some of the smaller businesses. I recently started purchasing some of my meats at a small independently owned butcher/carniceria, which is where I found the lovely lamb shoulder. For years I've popped into a locally owned Asian market where I can get plain noodles, good kimchi and some amazing mushrooms along with experimenting with new spices. My newest place is recently opened and has all things Mediterranean. They make their own Turkish Delight, and I purchased a small sampler to try; it's unusual and quite sticky but delicious. I bought a spice mix that is all-purpose and will be trying some chicken and vegetables seasoned with it. (Zaatar, Lebanese version ... there were five or six specific to countries, so I just chose one.)
Now time has been flying, and I need to get onto my Bible study time.
Happy second day of the new year!
💋💚
Yes, I prefer early to bed, early to rise. Makes a woman healthy and wise, right!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh love lamb,. Such a good flavor to me. The ingredients for the Persian lamb stew sounds delicious.
Yes, fog is like a blanket. Pretty to look @, though I don’t enjoy driving in it.
Oh your omelet still looks delicious.
Hugs and blessings. Take good care!
barb
1cd
The Persian Lamb Stew did turn out pretty well. Interestingly, it seemed almost bland, but it was just a different taste palate and part way through the serving I found myself enjoying it. I will make a change or two when making it again; I'll add a bit more lime (fresh squeezed, and whole dried). I'll also extend the simmering time of the lamb in the broth before adding the sauteed fresh herbs (dill, parsley, cilantro, green onion ... all finely chopped). The lamb was not quite as tender as I'd have like. It's made to eat over rice and has a fresh aromatic taste and something else I can't quite describe. The beef stew or Bouff Bourguignon (?) and most soups have a savory flavor, and some of the African area soups have a bit of a sweet/hot to them. This was distinctly different, but good.
DeleteLike you, I very much enjoy lamb. My mom's recipe for leg of lamb is my favorite, and I make it every so often for a group of friends -- my kids don't care much for lamb, so don't make it often. I'll make a nice lamb chop now and then, so when I saw this recipe, it was an aha moment ... I can make a pot of soup and eat it for one meal several days running.
With the other two pounds of lamb (in the freezer) I plan to make green chili stew New Mexico style.
That omelet looks delicious! I am betting that the Persian lamb stew was as well. Funny how this time of year brings out the cook in all of us in the Northern hemisphere! Brrrr... leads to warm and yummy!
ReplyDeleteThe fog pictures could have been around here a couple of days this past week. It got warmer than usual, and that led to foggy.
Happy New Year!
Happy new year to you as well!
ReplyDeleteI do love my soups in the winter months, but often will make chicken soup or minestrone even in the summer because I get hungry for it. It's funny to be eating soup with the air conditioner running ...